Continual Line Contour with Watercolor

Here is a demonstration of how I use watercolor with a "Continual Line Contour Drawings". I use Tombow pens for the drawing because they are a water based inks and dissolve nicely when I paint watercolor on top. The color I prefer is a burnt sienna. Another reason I like to use these pens is because the drawing becomes less prominent than water proof pens.

In the photograph I show the still life set-up, the contour drawing, and the final stage with watercolor. This is a wonderful warm up exercise. If you are not sure how to approach a Continual Line Contour Drawing look at the prior post on my blog.

Happy Sketching!
Brenda

Continual Line Contour Drawing

I am often asked how do I begin a "Continual Line Contour Drawing"? I usually start at the top and work my way down on the left side, and back up on the right side. I am conscious of not closing in the entire subject. It is important to leave open edges. Keeping open edges allows the eye to move in and through the drawing freely.

In this sketch you will notice a dot where I begin and finish. Once I put the pen on the paper I don't lift the pen until it is finished. The image becomes a little distorted but I think that is part of its charm.

Splash 11

Nearly one year ago I had a painting selected to be included in Splash 11, New Directions. I recently received my copy of the book. To give you a little back ground the first of the Splash book series was published when I was just beginning to paint with watercolor many years ago. It was one of the first art books I bought. I remember looking through the pages and being in complete awe (and I still am) of the talented painters in the book. I never imagined that I would some day be included! So forgive me for bragging but I am so excited. If you would like to view a few pages of the book click here: Splash 11, New Directions

Sketch to Painting

Sketching is the act of observing and gathering visual information. It is not about making a perfect painting. Most of my paintings are inspired by sketches created on location. Watercolor sketches are somewhat loose and colorful by nature, which is part of their charm.

A sketch can be complete in itself or a springboard to a larger studio painting. Sometimes a sketch has just scratched the surface when it comes to exploring a subject. I use my sketches and photographs as a reference to make improvements or adjustments to my original design. I use a value study to plan my passage of lights, darks. I enjoy the act of drawing and the time spent allows me the opportunity to walk through the painting progression in my mind before I begin.

The sketch on the left side is 9x6 inches. The finished painting on the right is 20x15.